Promises to engage FG on release of Nnamdi Kanu, restructuring
A renown activist lawyer, Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu has emerged as the President General of Ohanaeze N’digbo Worldwide at its ongoing convention which began on Thursday and expected to end on Friday morning.
The General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Friday said the new President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Dimm Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu was returned unopposed, according to a statement by the returning officer Dr. Achi Achi.
In his acceptance speech, Okwukwu said his top priorities included engaging the Federal Government on the unconditional release of the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB) and restructuring of Nigeria.
In the statement signed by the returning officer Achi said Dim Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu was elected by the progressive movement in Igboland
He thanked the national delegates who stormed Port Harcourt for the election, stating that they are the true members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for finding him worthy.
He said the new leader has pledged to defend the interest of all Igbos under the sun and uphold the tenets of the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Speaking at the even Okwukwu thanked the delegates promising to “unite fractured nerves and bring the Igbo together as one individible family.”
In his acceptance speech, he said he humbly accepted the enormous responsibility imposed on him to lead the Igbo race “at this moment in our history.”
He said he is fully aware of the unprecedented trust reposed in him and capacity to do so, saying he pledged solemnly to defend Igbo nation that “I shall live up to their high expectations.”
He thanked all members of the Electoral Committee, Elders, members of the press and Igbo public, men, women, and youths for all the joint efforts that today helped to yield these positive outcomes.
“The Igbo nation has gone through unprecedented travails,”he said
Okwukwu said he would waste no time in engaging the Federal and State Governments, Igbo businessmen, politicians, youths and intelligentsia, to address the problems facing the Igbo Nation
He said he would meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to work for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other political prisoners, ensure de-criminalization of political exiles to enable them return home to join the process of reconstruction.
“We shall encourage the Federal and State governments to engage all agitators to address grievances so as to bring a just closure to issues.”
He said he will also emgage the Federal Government in dredging, modernization and restoration of the Igweocha/Port Harcourt and other coastal ports for the Igbo/East and others, together with the dredging of the Azumini to Opobo Imo River basin to the coast, to recreate a pole of export-import industrialization and development in Igboland/East, down to the Middle Belt and Maiduguri.
Okwukwu said he would work with the State and Federal Government to bring an end to the Unknown Gunmen and other issues that created insecurity in Igboland/East, including kidnappings, ritual murders, extrajudicial killings, sundry agitations, unemployment, and de-industrialization, and including the open checkpoint robberies and extortions along Igbo/Eastern roads by those supposed to be protecting road-users.
” I will work for the creation of the Anioma State as an equalization State for the Igbo, and for additional Aba, Adada, Etiti, Orlu or other States in case the balance is further disrupted” he said.
Okwukwu promised to mobilise the Igbo for the Restructuring to come, about which all other ethnic nationalities have ready templates, but which no recent Ohanaeze leadership has had any courage to address.
“I will work hand in hand with critical Igbo stakeholders to advance the unity of the Igbo nation, and ensure that Igbo communities in Benue, Edo etc, are fully incorporated into the Ohanaeze family memberships, modernize the Igbo language as one of the major languages of global commerce, culture, science and technology.”
Okwukwu emerged as the consensus candidate having been identified as the only independent contestant among more than four aspirants that seek to lead the Igbo socio-cultural organisation
Our correspondent was informed that the delegates took the unanimous decision to elect the new President who promised to unite the Igbo and reclaim the heritage of one of Africa-s most industrious people.
The election attended by several people was held Port Harcourt.
Delegates came from the South East and the Diaspora.
More than 200 social cultural groups attended the event historic event.
Representatives from each state said there was the need to elect a bold, courageous and progressive individual to drive the agenda of the Igbo in Nigeria and across the world.
The new leadership has scheduled a world Press Conference for Port Harcourt on Monday which will be followed by a series of activities aimed at uniting the Igbo and setting a new pathway for peace, conflict prevention and constructive engagement with stakeholders in Nigeria
Okwukwu said for long he has been fighting for the unity of the Igbo nation down to the coast and worldwide.
“I am not a Johnny just come, and I plead to all Igbo sons and daughters, all peoples with the Igbo DNA, now numbering more than 300 million peoples all over the world, with at least 80 million locals in Nigeria, to give me your support and cooperation for this long-desired Igbo Renaissance. People must have a goal and a focus; and, now is the time!”
Okwukwu, from Elele in Rivers State is a progressive lawyer who came into limelight during the struggle against Jine 12 election.
He was the former Secretary General of Ohanaeze
He has been involved in a series of campaigns for human rights and justice across Nigeria spanning over decades with a wide network across the country.
However, there are concerns that his emergence may be a reflection of fractionalisation in Ohanaeze. Reports are rife that another Convention of the group led by former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro is scheduled to hold today in Enugu.
